Divine Comedy (Divine Comedy in general)

Member Name: davepridd

Product:	Divine Comedy in general
Date:	21/07/00 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unique band, great arrangements and melodies

Disadvantages: Few

The Divine Comedy have to be one of the most unique bands around at the moment; for a start they weren't actually a band until 1996. Then it was just Neil Hannon singing and playing a variety of instruments from harpsichord to guitar, with the accompniment of a string quartet, and only occassionaly a drummer. Neil Hannon's style is distinctly out of step with the fashions of music as he sings in a deep baritone, clearly trying to emulate the voice of Scott Walker; sometimes successfully and sometimes less so.

A lot of the music on recent albums such as 'A short album about love' and 'Fin de Siecle' strongly resemble the sounds on Scott Walker's early solo albums in their huge orchestral arrangements and powerful vocals. However, this side of the music is only heard by people who buy the albums as there is no shortage of simpler, but equally appealing pop songs to be released as singles such as the catchy, and successful 'National Express', or 'The pop singer's fear of the pollen count'.

The sound on most songs is actually quite classical with either piano or harpsichord leading the orchestra. This has no doubt been influenced by the addition of Joby Talbot to the group who has a degree in music and is able to score some of the best arrangements heard in pop music today. There is not a weak album amongst the Divine Comedy's back catologue, and all except Promenade contain tracks which listeners will recognise. Most albums are loosely based around a theme; Promenade is about 2 lovers spending a day by the sea, Casanova is about Casanova, A short album... is indeed about love, and Fin de Siecle is about society approaching the end of the century.

The only question is as where the band are going to go next as they have recieved widespread recognition with their Greatest hits collection. Neil Hannon suggests that the new album will be based more around the group than orchestra, but th
is likely to still be a big sound as there are now 7 members to the group; Neil Hannon, a guitarist, bassist, drummer, percussionist, organist and pianist/keyboardist.

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